Liwonde National Park, founded in 1973, is 550km2 it is one of the most beautiful parks in the country and one of the far less travelled in Africa! The park is situated 160km north of Blantyre on the left bank of the Shire River, south of Lake Malawi.

Liwonde National Park offers one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa! You will have the opportunity to spot a lot of elephant as the park hosts around 900! The elephant population has grown so much in the past years that it has become hard for them to survive, this is why some of them have been transported to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve for what was “the biggest elephant translocation in Malawi”.

This isn’t the only translocation, in 2017, 4 cheetahs were re-introduced, and they have multiplied! As the only carnivores in the park (except for a few hyena) it was an all you can eat buffet for them until African Parks brought back the lions! With 23 black rhino joining our already strong population and Wild Dogs recently reintroduced this is fast becoming one of the hottest wildlife destinations in Africa. 

The park is also inhabited by hundreds of crocs and hippos, antelope, zebra and buffalo. Liwonde National Park is also a birders paradise with more than 300 different species so there really is something for everyone!

Liwonde National Park displays beautiful scenery all around the park and all year around. The river cuts through the entire park and on its bank the infamous Liwonde palm trees are drawing shadows when the sun is setting and attract the beautiful fish eagles and palm-nut vultures.

Boat safaris: Liwonde is renowned for its boat safaris, during which you can get very close to hippos and crocodiles and experience the amazing birdlife.
Game drives: Lodges located in Liwonde also offer game drives, which offer an opportunity to cover more ground and get closer to the land animals.

Walking safaris: Guided by a professional, stomp through the bush and get closer to nature than ever before. Experience Liwonde from a different perspective and appreciate the smaller flora and fauna that make up the ecosystem.

Helicopter rides: You can partake in a helicopter ride over the park with Brad the resident African Parks Helicopter pilot. To see the animals from above and also to learn a bit about the park and its history as well as the efforts African Parks are making to ensure the safety of the animals and the people surrounding the park.

Since 2015, Liwonde National Park has transformed remarkably, becoming a sanctuary for Malawi’s wildlife through groundbreaking conservation initiatives. When African Parks partnered with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to manage the park, it faced severe challenges, including widespread poaching and high levels of human-wildlife conflict.

Achievements in Conservation

• Restoring Wildlife Populations:
  • In 2017, cheetahs were reintroduced after a century-long absence, followed by lions in 2018 and wild dogs in 2021.
  • In 2019, 17 black rhinos were relocated from South Africa in one of the largest international black rhino translocations ever conducted.
• Enhanced Protection Measures:
  • Over 40,000 wire snares have been removed since 2015.
  • Advanced monitoring technology and one of southern Africa’s most effective conservation law enforcement programs have been implemented, leading to zero poaching of elephants and rhinos for five consecutive years.
• Land Expansion:
  • In 2018, adding the Mangochi Forest Reserve to African Parks’ mandate increased the conservation footprint by 60%.

Community and Sustainability Initiatives

• Human-Wildlife Conflict Solutions:
  • The innovative “chilli elephant barriers” deter elephants from encroaching on farmland and support local farmers through the Spicy Farmers project.
• Education and Community Development:
  • Over 94 schools receive support, with 100 scholarships awarded annually to students in the region.
• Tourism Growth:
  • Visitor numbers increased by 10.8% in 2023 compared to 2022, driving revenue supporting conservation and the local economy.

Major Milestones

• In 2022, 263 elephants were translocated to Kasungu National Park to ease pressure on Liwonde’s resources and bolster elephant populations elsewhere. This marked the second-largest elephant translocation in history.
• The park’s ranger training centre is critical for training conservation rangers in Malawi and across Africa.

Looking Ahead

Liwonde National Park remains committed to:

• Reducing illegal and unsustainable resource harvesting.
• Expanding environmental education programs.
• Supporting community enterprise projects that enhance livelihoods and strengthen conservation efforts.

By visiting or supporting Liwonde, you contribute to the park’s mission of protecting wildlife and uplifting local communities. Together, we can ensure this haven continues to thrive for generations.

Liwonde is a must-do for those who want a top notch safari away from the crowds. There are just 3 lodges within the park which means you can get close to the wildlife without the company of several other safari vehicles.

Liwonde is a conservation success story and with each day it is getting better, watch as the animal populations thrive! Are you an avid twitcher? Some specialists say it offers the best bird watching in Southern Africa.